PickOne

I’m very pleased + excited to announce not one but two exciting new Sashiko stitched workshops which will be led from the PickOne studios

The first, a Sashiko Sampler Workshop, will take place on Monday the 20th of July 2026.

This exciting + informative workshop will be led by the brilliant Karen Giroud, an Edinburgh based sashiko + sewing tutor, who has a fantastic eye for both colour + pattern!

During this engaging 2.5-hour workshop, Karen will demonstrate how to plan and grid out designs, as well as master the stitching techniques used to create intricate geometric patterns. Using provided templates and guidance, you will create your own Sashiko sampler square on linen or cotton drill.

For additional information on this workshop, including fees, timings etc … please go to the following link - https://www.pickone.co.uk/sashiko-sampler-workshop-with-karen-giroud where you will also find an online link to book your place on this small + intimate hands on workshop!

This link is also in the bio!

There is also a second link in the PickOne IG bio to a second Sashiko based workshop, also led by Karen Giroud titled “Sashiko + Visible Repair Workshop” - all details in the link, including content, dates, fees etc …

Please feel free to share this link with others you may feel would benefit or be interested in having some excellent tuition in this fascinating traditional Japanese textiles technic!

Thank you!

… more adventures in weave structures, with a darker base weft thread, which makes the “ threads” pop a bit more … at least that’s my thinking … all in … my favourite.

It’s been a meditative week as I return to my groove after my jolly week away … a distant, but happy memory.

Happy Friday + I hope all is well 😀

I’m just reflecting on a wonderful weekend of teaching at the PickOne studios where I had three eager students going through the various process to achieve making beautiful cloth.

As I said in a previous post, students hailed from the highlands of Scotland + California - a winning mix!

Again it was interesting to note I am one of the few workshop providers that give instruction on how to prepare a “fankle free” warp as well as providing 10 plus on line videos to assist with both the weekend + future adventures in warp + weft, all as part of the fee paid for a weekend or evening workshop/class … which are an incredibly useful tool to continue one’s learning as the following quote in part illustrates, which I pinched from the PickOne FB page …

“Greetings from Belfast, James! … still using the videos from your workshop. Love following all the brilliant work produced under your tutelage on this page. Gur treise do lámha, more power to your hands”

If you’re interested in signing up for a weekend weave workshop, please visit the following link, which will show availability, additional information, costs + an online booking form … all very straightforward, I’m told!

https://www.pickone.co.uk/all-classes/ -weave

Advanced weekend weave workshops coming soon!!!!

Happy Monday!

Note - one doesn’t have to watch the instructional films to come along to a workshop … most, I’m told find them hugely useful post workshop …

I ❤️ teaching!!!!

This is day one of my May weekend weave class + jings, crivvens + help ma boab …. What a fantastic + interesting group of international students I have this weekend, with students attending from Fort William (for the fourth time!) Broughton, Edinburgh via Portland Oregon + a third hailing from San Diego… which again proving distance is no object to attending a weekend weaving class at the PickOne studios.

If you’re interested in attending a weekend weave class here in deepest darkest wonderful Leith please visit the following link for future dates, with availability all the way to November 2026.

https://www.pickone.co.uk/all-classes/ -weave

8 shaft weekend weaving classes are coming very soon!

Taking my structures to another level + really enjoying the bliss of weaving + repetition of this scarf piece.

Do you like … or to much?

I’m adjusting to being back from a wonderful holiday in Gran Canaria which involved my fantastic Glasgow based travelling chum, Mark, catching up with fantastic GC based chums, pool days, gin nights, slow days, conversations big + small, meals in + out, cafe chums, making new chums + a couple for good measure, how we laughed. Haven’t stopped. Good for the soul.

I’m definitely not a solo traveller, more of a pack animal + this trip again proved that.

As an aside, I realised yet again that when I repainted my house recently I redecorate subconsciously with the colours of Gran Canaria as this carousel of images proves. Love that!

Normal service resumes as of Monday!

Happy Sunday!

This is a fantastic example illustrating the joy of overshot!

Combined with the students colour choices has resulted in a beautiful + unique scarf length woven in merino lambswool.

It’s a beautiful piece, which excites me because it was woven over 4 shafts + demonstrates the versatility of the overshot weave structure. Stunning.

Sadly this student won’t be coming back due to a house move + she will be greatly missed by all! Good luck with the move!

This now means I have availability for my Monday day class + my Thursday evening … so is your interested in coming along to one of these workshops please do get in touch via the website, link in the bio or using the following link - https://www.pickone.co.uk/contact

Happy Sunday!

Just returning from a lovely day visit to in Galashiels to see my interns degree show that she has been working away on over the last year or so …. and I was really pleased to see that she, .textiles has been awarded a 1st prize for her use of colour by the Worshipful Company of Dyers! Very impressive as was her use of structures and combinations off … fantastic work!

Many congrats .textiles !!!!

If you want to go see + have a look at this diverse range of brilliant works across weave, print + knit the show is on at the High Mill till the end of the week, please check with for specific opening times! You won’t be disappointed!!!!

This outstanding piece came of loom last week - I did mention it was a busy week for the golden scissors - from a long term attendee.

Woven in a beautiful curry coloured cottolin warp with a supplementary warp in mercerised cotton, the student adapted an existing overshot pattern to make it her own, which in itself threw up future design possibilities with multiple happy accidents + discoveries along the way … a very beautiful project, which didn’t come without its challenges, but we collectively got there, with the student moving her design knowledge + understanding along at a pace.

This is, for me is design, knowledge + understanding coming together through focused commitment + determination.

I am beyond chuffed to see this happening.

Happy Monday!!!

The golden scissors have had a fair few outings of late + I’m still playing catch up with what has been coming off the student looms of late!

This beautiful merino lambswool length came off loom a week or so ago and was woven to be made into homewares/cushions + to cover journals.

Inspiration for this beautiful weave structure came from one of the (Dr. William G.) Bateman books we have in our extensive textile library in the PickOne studio’s.

If your interested in coming along to any of our weekly weave classes, do drop me a message via IG or the website - link in the bio - as we currently have availability in our evening classes on a Tuesday and a Thursday.

For additional information on the evening classes as well as what else is on offer please visit the following link - https://www.pickone.co.uk/all-classes/ -weave

Happy Wednesday!